Stampede during Chhath celebrations in Patna; 18 killed
Patna: Chhath festival celebrations in Bihar’s capital Patna turned tragic on Monday as a stampede broke out around sunset at Adalatganj ghat and led to at least 18 deaths, including of children and women.
Many others were injured in the incident, police said.
According to local officials, the incident happened when people were coming back after offering prayers at the ghat.
Many others were injured in the incident, police said.
According to local officials, the incident happened when people were coming back after offering prayers at the ghat.
A police official said the stampede occurred after a temporary bridge made of bamboo collapsed due to heavy rush of people, mainly devotees and their family members.
However, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the deaths took place not because of the cave-in, but due to people rushing out of the steep stairs a temple.
Kumar has ordered an inquiry into the incident and investigations have begun.
The CM also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each of those killed.
However, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the deaths took place not because of the cave-in, but due to people rushing out of the steep stairs a temple.
Kumar has ordered an inquiry into the incident and investigations have begun.
The CM also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each of those killed.
Hundreds of angry people, mostly relatives of the victims, protested against the government and shouted slogans against the Chief Minister and local administration at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), where all the bodies were brought for post mortem and the injured were admitted for treatment.
Satnarain Singh, a relative of a victim, said that what shocked him and others was that there was no doctor in the emergency ward of the hospital.
"Those seriously injured in the incident were at the mercy of God as doctors were not available in the emergency ward," he said.
Sensing trouble after the incident, a large number of security personnel were deployed at the hospital and at different places in Patna.
District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Singh and Superintendent of Police Jayant Kant were camping at the hospital.
Over four lakh people from Patna and nearby areas gathered at different ghats here for Chhath celebration, officials said.
Celebrated six days after Diwali, Chhath is dedicated to the Sun god. During the festival, married women observe fast for 36 hours, and devotees offer wheat, milk, sugarcane, bananas and coconuts to the Sun god.
Satnarain Singh, a relative of a victim, said that what shocked him and others was that there was no doctor in the emergency ward of the hospital.
"Those seriously injured in the incident were at the mercy of God as doctors were not available in the emergency ward," he said.
Sensing trouble after the incident, a large number of security personnel were deployed at the hospital and at different places in Patna.
District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Singh and Superintendent of Police Jayant Kant were camping at the hospital.
Over four lakh people from Patna and nearby areas gathered at different ghats here for Chhath celebration, officials said.
Celebrated six days after Diwali, Chhath is dedicated to the Sun god. During the festival, married women observe fast for 36 hours, and devotees offer wheat, milk, sugarcane, bananas and coconuts to the Sun god.
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